Dumb-bell



(No Model.)

T. H. CAMPBELL.

DUMB BELL.

Patented Dec. 3, 1889 Snow do @313 ablio'omz ,h fikw4 N; PETERS. wnmuum n m wma m ac UNITED STATES PATE T FFIcE.

THOMAS H. CAMPBELL, OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

DUMB-BELL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 416,565, dated December 3, 1889.

Application filed September 24:, 1889. Serial No. 324,875. (No model.)

To, aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS H. CAMPBELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Allegheny, in'the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain. new and useful Improvements in Dumb-Bells, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

It is customary in using dumb-bells for athletic exercise to commence the practice with the lighter weights, gradually changing to the heavier weights as the muscles become more and more developed. As usually constructed the weight of each dumb-bell is constant and cannot be changed, and the bells also vary in size, according to the weight, necessitating a change to a new set whenever a change of weight is desired, which is inconvenient and expensive.

The object of my invention is to obviate these objections and provide a dumb-bell of a determined size, the weight of which may be increased or diminished at will without altering the size or shape thereof. These objects are attained by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of a dumb-bell constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2 represents an end elevation thereof with a cap forming a portion of the bell removed; and Fig. 3 represents a detail view, in crosssection, showing a portion of the bar and one of the spheres, and a wedge for securing the sphere on the bar.

Referring to the drawings, the letter A indicates the bar or handle of the dumbbell, which is preferably constructed of wood, the central portion being formed to fit the hand when grasped, as usual. At each side of said central portion the bar or handle is formed with concave shoulders a, the curve of which corresponds to the curve of the exterior of the balls or spheres, so as to form accurate seats therefor. The portions of the bar or handle at each side of the shoulders are equal in length to the diameter of the balls, which are indicated by the letter B. Thesaid balls or spheres are constructed preferably of cast metal, and are hollow, being provided with diametrically-opposite openings 1), in which the smaller portions of the bar or handle at each side of the shoulders fit, the ends of the said bar or handle being flush with the outer surfaces of the balls or spheres, as shown. Near each end of the bar or handle it is grooved longitudinally for a short distance, as indicated by the letter 0, and contiguous to the said groove, when the balls or spheres are in place, the outer aperture in dished sides bearing against the outer sur-.

faces of the balls or spheres, the caps serving the double purpose of confining the balls through which the balls are charged.

The relative dimensions of the handle or bar andthe balls may be such as convenience or taste may dictate; but I prefer to have the balls equal in diameter, each to be one-third the length of the bar or handle, which will form a well-balanced article, aesthetical in appearance and convenient to handle.

In order to fasten the balls securely to the" bar or handle, the ends thereof are split longitudinally for a short distance, and wedges 'i are inserted, which spread such ends and cause them to bind tightly in the outer beveled apertures of the balls or spheres.

upon the bar and closing the passage-way Any suitable material-such as sand, shot,

or granulesmaybe employed for weighting the balls or spheres.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Pat outer openings contiguous to said grooves, and forming with the same passages for the weighting material, and the caps secured to the ends of the said bar or handle, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. The combination, with the bar or handle of a dumb-bell provided with shoulders and grooves, as described, of the spheres diametrieally perforated and recessed at the edges 10 of the outer perforations, the wedges set in the ends of the bar or handle, and the caps secured to the ends thereof, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

, TI-IOS. H. CAMPBELL. Witnesses:

O..D. DAVIS,

O. W. (JoNToYE. 

